The hardest part about pickleball is knowing positioning and when to be there. Beginners and Intermediates struggle with transitioning from the baseline to the kitchen, then lateral movement once at the kitchen. Many pickleball players have no idea what the previous terms mean. We will discuss simple movements to take your game to the next level. I will also provide links and videos to help you progress.
Before we continue, you must fix your mentality and eliminate the belief that you must have every skill set as every other player. You saw someone who hits hard, so you want to hit hard. You see a fast serve, so you want a faster serve. Your rival has better drops, so you want better drops. You fail to realize that, often, the person who hits hard, that's all they can do. The tough server is trying to get the point in the serve so that he/she doesn't expose the weaknesses in their game. We all have flaws, weaknesses, and room for improvement. Don't focus on the glamor of your rivals. Be like Batman! He can't fly, doesn't have laser beams, or any of that. He continuously self-improves and knows how to beat his enemies... and his friends. Focus on self.
Receiving A Serve
You're standing at the baseline, waiting for the serve. Every pickleball player who has had at least one lesson in serving is aware that they want to serve the ball deep into their opponent's court. You are confused about why you continue to miss return after return. It is probably because of one of three reasons.
1. Someone told you to stand behind the baseline when returning a serve. So, you stood directly behind the line, per the instruction. However, are you prepared for a serve that hits the baseline? If the serve hits the line and you are directly on the line, you can't comfortably return the ball. You try to step backward to get the ball or miss it completely. Returners should stand about two feet behind the baseline. This is especially true if the opponent has a strong deep serve. The ball must bounce before hitting it, forcing it to slow down. Give yourself TIME AND SPACE for these things to happen.
2. Great you've fixed one problem and now you've given yourself TIME AND SPACE to react. Now we must get into a ready position. If you've been coached in any other sport you may call it different names and your coach has put you in it like a sensei does his students in a dojo because it is so important. The ready position may be foreign, but you must know it now! As you're about two feet behind the baseline, your feet will be shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent, and your paddle is in front of you. Let's get ready to play.
3. You are not looking at the ball. You should be looking at the ball while it is in your opponent's hand. You'll want to see if they are spinning the ball or tossing it up or down, before hitting. Both of these are illegal. While your opponent hits the ball, watch to see if they are hitting it above their waist. Are they putting top spin? Is it a slice? This will give you direction on how the ball will bounce once it hits the ground. After the ball is hit assess whether it is fast or slow, deep, or shallow, to your left or right. Pickleball Journey has a great video on how to hit various shots. The common mistake is that you have a tight grip and a weak wrist. Instead, stiffen your wrist and reduce your grip. Beginners hit the ball and the ball goes in random directions. I promise you that physics isn't random. Yes, your shoulder is swinging forward but your wrist can turn your paddle 45 degrees in various directions. Focus on the hit. Watch the ball until it leaves your paddle. Furthermore, hit the ball on its apex. What is the apex? When a hit ball travels and hits the court, it bounces up. The ball is slowing down as it is rising and fighting gravity. The highest point that the ball bounces before dropping again, is the apex.
Playing in the Kitchen
Once you've returned the ball, it's time to run up to the kitchen. Remember, whoever controls the kitchen, controls the game. Come to the kitchen and get in the ready position. Your partner, who should already be at the kitchen before your opponent has served to you, will move laterally based on how you returned the ball. Lateral movement is crucial at the kitchen and advanced play. Check out Simple Speed Coach for tips on lateral movement. If you hit the ball to the left, you'll both slide to the left. If you hit it to the right, you will both slide to the right. If one of you slides in one direction and the other does not move, you will create huge gaps in the middle of the court. Moving when the ball hasn't been hit to you is a true skill that you can develop. Don't get so caught up watching your partner in a rally and when the ball finally comes to you, you aren't ready. Stay moving, watch the ball, and stay engaged.
Serving
Serving is simple. Serve the ball deep and wait for the return. Ideally, the returner wants to send the ball deep on your side. This means, your positioning is similar to to returning a serve. We see beginners rush up to the kitchen after a serve. In the words of Michael Jordan, "Stop it. Get some help". Stay back and wait for the bounce the same way you wait for the bounce on a serve. Be prepared for the short return. Give yourself TIME AND SPACE to approach a ball to hit it. The last thing you want to do is run backward in an attempt to let the ball bounce before hitting it. That is always an uncomfortable shot. Also, with these strategies in mind, do not be afraid to diversify your serve. If they expect you to serve deep and they line up way behind the baseline, serve shorter. They expect you to their right, go left. Unless they can't handle your normal serve. Keep doing whatever you are doing to win.
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